Cylindrical rotor internal combustion engine

ABSTRACT

An engine comprised of a casing having an elliptical chamber, a stator within said casing having an elliptical periphery spaced from said casing, a cylindrical rotor between said casing and said stator having an outer surface defining first and second crescent-shaped chambers with said casing and having an inner surface defining third and fourth crescent-shaped chambers with said stator, sets of vanes slidably received in said rotor and cooperating with the interior surface of said stator and casing to sequentially form intake, compression, combustion and exhaust chambers therebetween, fuel inlet passageway through said casing communicating with said combustion chamber, and an air inlet passageway through said casing communicating with said intake chamber.

0 Umted States Patent 1151 Leas [4 1 Aug. 8, 1972 [54] CYLINDRICAL ROTOR INTERNAL 1,253,716 1/l9l8 Palmer ..4l8/l3 COMBUSTION ENGINE 1,616,733 2/1927 Wood ..4l8/93 [72] Inventor: Lawrence E. Leas, Simi, Calif. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 Assignee Leas BrothelS Development 1,328,543 4/1963 France ..l23/8.l7

poration, Columbia City, lnd. [22] Filed: June 3, 1970 Primary Examiner-Allan D. Herman Attorney-John J. Byme 21 Appl. No.: 43,005

, [57] ABSTRACT [521 US. Cl. ..l23/8.43, 418/13, 418/177, An engine comprised of a casing having an elliptical 418/ 184 chamber, a stator within said casing having an ellipti- [Sl] Int. Cl. ..F02b 53/00, FOlc 11/00 cal periphery spaced from said casing, a cylindrical [58] Field of Search ..418/172, 173, 177, 178,260, ro o be ee sa casing and said stator ha ing an 418/261, 13, 6, 138, 93, 7, 8, 112, 183, 134, outer surface defining first and second crescent- 224; 123 43 335 shaped chambers with said casing and having an inner surface defining third and fourth crescent-shaped 5 References Cited chambers with said stator, sets of vanes slidably received in said rotor and cooperating with the interi- UNITED STATES PATENTS' or surface of said stator and casing to sequentially form intake, compression, combustion and exhaust 239 g chambers therebetween, fuel inlet passageway through 2263274 11 1941 leg 8 35 X said casing communicating with said combustion l953378 $1934 zg (ll/184 chamber, and an air inlet passageway through said 3,3 18:5 15 5/1967 Jones ..-..41s/17s casmg mmumcaung make chamber 3,165,093 l/ 1965 Etxegoien ..4l8/ l 83 14 Claims, 6 Drawing figures PATENTEmus 81972 3.682.143 SHEET 1 or 3 //v VENTOR LAWRENCE E. LEAS 5%Q5 W ATTORNEY PATENTEDAUG 81972 3,682,143

sum 2 [1F 3 M/l E/vrO/P LAWRENCE E. L545 ATTORNEY PATENTEDAus 81972 3.682.143

snwaors LAWRENCE E. LE'AS F/G.3 B) v TOR/V5) C YLINDRICAL ROTOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE This application, relates generally to internal combustion engines and more particularly to a vane-type rotary power unit which operates on an Otto or Diesel cycle.

Another important objective of this invention is to provide a rotary internal combustion machine with two or more power cycles per revolution whereby a continuous and even flow of power is transmitted to a drive shaft.

Another important objective of the invention is to provide an engine which exhausts a reduced amount of pollutants into the atmosphere because of its ability to utilize a high air-to-fuel relationship whereby fuller combustion of the fuels takes place. The structure of the engine described provides characteristics to permit coal-derived fuels and other fuels, heretofore considered marginal, to be utilized. A further objective of this invention is to provide improved vane control means whereby the vanes are extended and retracted from the rotor in an efficient and trouble-free manner.

A still further objective of this invention is to provide a vane design wherein the combustion forces do not materially disturb the vane control apparatus.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following detailed description when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-section of the engine of this invention along line 1-1 of FIG. 2; K

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 with the operating parts shown in a different phase of the combustion cycle;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of one vane element used in this motor assembly;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the vane of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a top view thereof.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like elements, the numeral 10 indicates an improved rotary engine having a casing generally comprised of a pair of end plates 12 and 14 disposed on either side of an outer annular stator 16. That portion of the engine adjacent plate 12 will be referred to as the front of the engine and that portion adjacent end plate 14 will be referred to as the rear of the engine. Rotatably received within the casing is a power shaft 18 rotatably mounted by way of bearings 20. Extending through rear plate 14 is an accessory end 21 of shaft 18 which is formed with keyways 22 and 24 to provide power to accessory equipment. The shaft 18 is keyed to a rotor assembly 26 by way of key and slot 28. An inner stator 30 is fixedly secured to the end plate 14 by way of bolts 32. Thus, the principal elements of the engine remaining stationary are; end plates 12 and 14, outer stator 16, and the inner stator 30.

The rotor assembly consists of a front rotor plate 34 and a rear rotor plate 36 that carry an annular rotor ring 40 therewith. In the embodiment shown, the ring 40 is comprised of four segments defining slots 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d for respectively receiving the vanes 44, 46, 48 and 50. The rotor ring is secured to the end plates by way of bolts 42.

Since each vane is identical, only vane 44 will be described. Vane 44 is best shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. The vane is elongated and on opposite sides of its upper and lower end, chambers 52 and 54 are formed. Through its longitudinal length, the vane is formed with a bore 56. A plurality of passageways 58 communicate bore 56 with the curved outer end of the vane. The vane is formed with leading and trailing planar surfaces 60 and 62 which are closely received by the slots 42. A plurality of passageways 64 communicate the chamber 54 with the upper portion of surface 62 for purposes hereinafter described.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the inner surface of outer stator I6 is formed with an elliptical surface which can be lined by a lining member 68 having an inner elliptical surface 86. The outer stator is formed with exhaust ports 70 and 72 and the liner 68 is perforated at 74 and 76 to permit gases to escape through these exhaust ports. Immediately adjacent exhaust ports 70 and 72, cavities 78 are formed in the outer stator to facilitate the exhaust flow. The outer stator 16 and liner 68 are also formed with fluid intake ports 80 and 82.

As can be seen best in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer surface 84 of the ring 40 and the inner surface 86 of the liner 68 produce two crescent-shaped chambers 88 and 90. As also best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner stator has an elliptical periphery which is covered by a lining member 96 which forms an outer elliptical surface 98. The inner stator 30 is formed with two depressions 100 and 102 which lead, respectively, to air intake ports 104 and 106. The liner 96 is perforated at 107 and 108 to communicate air to the crescent-shaped inner chambers 110 and 112 formed respectively, by the outer surface 98 of the inner stator assembly and the inner surface 41 of the ring 40.

Operation of the motor can best be understood by referring to FIGS. 2 and 3. The engine is of the four stroke rotary type in which two firing cycles are performed by each vane during 360 revolution. Referring particularly to the position of FIG. 2, air is received into chamber 110 rearwardly of vane 44. In this position, the air captured in that portion of the chamber 1 10 forwardly of the vane is under compression. As the rotor moves in a counterclockwise direction, the chamber forwardly of the vane 44 becomes increas ingly small.

Referring now to FIG. 3, vane 44 is shown immediately after passing fuel inlet port 80. The air in chamber 110 forwardly of vane 44 is now under maximum compression. When vane 44 reaches this position, passageways 64 transmit the compressed air to firing chamber F of crescent-shaped chamber 88. With the interrnixture of air and fuel, combustion occurs. The vane and rotor are thus subjected to a power cycle in a counterclockwise direction. The leading edge 60 of the vane drives the exhaust fumes of the previous firing cycle through port 72.

As best seen in FIG. 3, vane 50 begins compressing the air in chamber 1 12 as communication is interrupted between chamber 112 and the air inlet 106. Thus, it can be seen that air is picked up in the inner crescentshaped chambers and is compressed and transmitted to the firing portion of the outer chambers.

The inner surface of outer stator 16 and the inner stator 30 are equally spaced from one another through The rotor itself provides the valving action as well as transmitting power. The rotor plates 34 and 36 transmit the power to the drive shaft via key 28.

In a general manner, while there has been disclosed an effective and efficient embodiment of the invention, it should be well understood that the invention is not limited to such an embodiment as there might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition and form of the parts without departing from the principle of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a stator having a generally elliptical channel defined by inner and outer surfaces,

an annular rotor rotatably received in said channel having an inner periphery having areas of tangency with the areas of maximum diameter of said inner surface and having an outer periphery having areas of tangency with the areas of minimum diameter of said outer surface to thereby divide said channel into first and second crescent-shaped cavities inwardly of said rotor and third and fourth crescentshaped cavities outwardly of said rotor,

a driven shaft,

means securing said shaft to said rotor,

a plurality of vanes slidably carried by said rotor each comprising a laterally extending elongated member having inner and outer elongated end portions of arcuate cross section defining oppositely curved stator engaging surfaces and oppositely facing elongated arcuate chambers,

said inner end portions being in engagement with said inner surface and said outer end portions being in engagement with said surface to thereby divide each of said cavities into compression and expansion chambers said vanes therethrough,

second means admitting air into said first and second cavities adjacent a first portion thereof,

third means admitting a fuel into said third and fourth cavities adjacent initial portions thereof, and

passageway means in said vanes for transferring compressed air from said first and second cavities to said initial portions of said third and fourth cavities just prior to the time said vanes depart from said first and second cavities and just after said vanes enter said third and fourth cavities.

2. The engine of claim 1 wherein said first means are comprised of a pair of end plates which form'the side walls of said channel.

3. The engine of Claim 1 wherein said vanes are slidably received in slots in said rotor, said slots defined by side walls which provide closures for said passageway means.

4. The engine of claim 1 wherein said air intake means are passageways in said stator.

5. The engine of claim 4 wherein said fuel intake means are passageways through said stator.

6. The engine of claim 1 wherein said inner and outer surfaces of said channel are covered with a wear-reas pass sistant liner. 1 7.=-The engine of claim 1 wherein said fuel intake me ns are isposed along a first co mon diameter and sal air mta e means are disposed a out a secon common diameter perpendicular to said first common diameter.

8. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a stator having a generally elliptical channel defined by inner and outer surfaces,

an annular rotatably received in said channel having an inner periphery having areas of tangency with the areas of maximum diameter of said inner surface and having an outer periphery having areas of tangency with the areas of minimum diameter of said outer surface to thereby divide said channel into first and second crescent-shaped cavities inwardly of said rotor and third and fourth crescentshaped cavities outwardly of said rotor,

a driven shaft, means securing said shaft to said rotor,

a plurality of vanes slidably carried by said rotor and having outer edges in engagement with said outer surface and inner edges in engagement with said inner surface to thereby divide each of said cavities into expansion and compression chambers as said vanes pass therethrough, each of said vanes being provided with a first lateral bore and a plurality of bores generally transverse to said lateral bore communicating said lateral bore with said outer edge,

second means admitting air into said first and second cavities adjacent a first portion thereof,

third means admitting a fuel into said third and fourth cavities adjacent initial portions thereof, and

passageway means in said vanes for transferring compressed air from said first and second cavities to said initial portions of said third and fourth cavities just prior to the time said vanes depart from said first and second cavities and just after said vanes enter said third and fourth cavities.

9. The engine of claim 8 wherein said first means are comprised of a pair of end plates which form the side walls of said channel.

10. The engine of claim 8 wherein said vanes are slidably received in slots in said rotor, said slots defined by side walls which provide closures for said passageway means.

11. The engine of claim 8 wherein said air intake means are passageways in said stator.

12. The engine of claim 11 wherein said fuel intake means are passageways through said stator.

13. The engine of claim 8 wherein said inner and outer surfaces of said channel are covered with a wearresistant liner.

14. The engine of claim 8 wherein said fuel intake means are disposed along a first common diameter and said air intake means are disposed along a first common diameter and said air intake means are disposed about a second common diameter perpendicular to said first common diameter. 

1. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a stator having a generally elliptical channel defined by inner and outer surfaces, an annular rotor rotatably received in said channel having an inner periphery having areas of tangency with the areas of maximum diameter of said inner surface and having an outer periphery having areas of tangency with the areas of minimum diameter of said outer surface to thereby divide said channel into first and second crescent-shaped cavities inwardly of said rotor and third and fourth crescent-shaped cavities outwardly of said rotor, a driven shaft, means securing said shaft to said rotor, a plurality of vanes slidably carried by said rotor each comprising a laterally extending elongated member having inner and outer elongated end portions of arcuate cross section defining oppositely curved stator engaging surfaces and oppositely facing elongated arcuate chambers, said inner end portions being in engagement with said inner surface and said outer end portions being in engagement with said surface to thereby divide each of said cavities into compression and expansion chambers as said vanes pass therethrough, second means admitting air into said first and second cavities adjacent a first portion thereof, third means admitting a fuel into said third and fourth cavities adjacent initial portions thereof, and passageway means in said vanes for transferring compressed air from said first and second cavities to said initial portions of said third and fourth cavities just prior to the time said vanes depart from said first and second cavities and just after said vanes enter said third and fourth cavities.
 2. The engine of claim 1 wherein said first means are comprised of a pair of end plates which form the side walls of said channel.
 3. The engine of Claim 1 wherein said vanes are slidably received in slots in said rotor, said slots defined by side walls which provide closures for said passageway means.
 4. The engine of claim 1 wherein said air intake means are passageways in said stator.
 5. The engine of claim 4 wherein said fuel intake means are passageways through said stator.
 6. The engine of claim 1 wherein said inner and outer surfaces of said channel are covered with a wear-resistant liner.
 7. The engine of claim 1 wherein said fuel intake means are disposed along a first common diameter and said air intake means are disposed about a second common diameter perpendicular to said first common diameter.
 8. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a stator having a generally elliptical channel defined by inner and outer surfaces, an annular rotatably received in said channel having an inner periphery having areas of tangency with the areas of maximum diameter of said inner surface and having an outer periphery having areas of tangency with the areas of minimum diameter of said outer surface to thereby divide said channel into first and second crescent-shaped cavities inwardly of said rotor and third and fourth crescent-shaped cavities outwardly of said rotor, a driven shaft, means securing said shaft to said rotor, a plurality of vanes slidably carried by said rotor and having outer edges in engagement with said outer surface and inner edges in engagement with said inner surface to thereby divide each of said cavities into expansion and compression chambers as said vanes pass therethrough, each of said vanes being provided with a first lateral bore and a plurality of bores generally transverse to said lateral bore communicating said lateral bore with said outer edge, second means admitting air into said first and second cavities adjacent a first portion thereof, third means admitting a fuel into said third and fourth cavities adjacent initial portions thereof, and passageway means in said vanes for transferring compressed air from said first and second cavities to said initial portions of said third and fourth cavities just prior to the time said vanes depart from said first and second cavities and just after said vanes enter said third and fourth cavities.
 9. The engine of claim 8 wherein said first means are comprised of a pair of end plates which form the side walls of said channel.
 10. The engine of claim 8 wherein said vanes are slidably received in slots in said rotor, said slots defined by side walls which provide closures for said passageway means.
 11. The engine of claim 8 wherein said air intake means are passageways in said stator.
 12. The engine of claim 11 wherein said fuel intake means are passageways through said stator.
 13. The engine of claim 8 wherein said inner and outer surfaces of said channel are covered with a wear-resistant liner.
 14. The engine of claim 8 wherein said fuel intake means are disposed along a first common diameter and said air intake means are disposed along a first common diameter and said air intake means are disposed about a second common diameter perpendicular to said first common diameter. 